Narelle Mullins speaks of the challenge of waiting in the wilderness. In the wilderness the Gospel tells us that God spoke to John the Baptist and called John. Even if he felt powerless in his wilderness, he was to act…to prepare the way of the Lord. Waiting in the wilderness can be uncomfortable and disturbing but many of Australia’s First peoples wait there In our wilderness, can we hear that voice within calling us deeply into divine intimacy and love?

As we prepare for Christmas this Advent, it can be a time to slow down and return to what is most important in our lives. Traditionally it is a time of preparing and waiting for the coming of the light. A light which is often dimmed by our traveling too fast over false ground. Let us take time this season to slow down and allow our souls to take us back to find the joy that dwells deep within slow time. Homily by Terry Fitzpatrick.

Peter Kennedy will be speaking this weekend via a video recording. He will be speaking about Sanctuary and its true meaning. In particular he will be reminding us of the graciousness of the Union Movement that gave us SANCTUARY when we were exiled from the Catholic Church. And for this we are forever grateful.

Heather Eckersley will speak to us of our upcoming Advent journey, with an invitation to consider using an Australian publication based in our own landscape. Here is a contemplative opportunity to press pause on our inner noise, to wait, watch and listen and see what happens.

Richard Rohr says that retribution is a system that works best in prisons and courtrooms but is not the way of the Gospels. Our best selves need honest exposure to truth and a desire to restore relationships. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past.

Our focus in our liturgy this week is protecting our Native forests. Renowned British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough some years ago informed us that, “Worldwide, we have now destroyed over half of the forest that once flourished on our planet. Not only are we losing the animals that once lived on them, we’re also changing the climate of the entire globe.”

This weekend Terry will reflects on the words of the famous Trappist monk Thomas Merton, when he writes “our destiny is to go beyond everything, to leave everything, to press forward to the End and find in the End our Beginning, the ever-new Beginning that has no end”.

Poverty affects over 3 million people in Australia and millions more around the globe. It affects some population groups more than others - First Nations people, children leaving foster care, disabled people, people leaving prison, mothers fleeing domestic violence. SMX is part of a very generous and motivated community that contributes to the amazing Brisbane spirit where people know they can get help.

Connecting to the natural world is a great antidote for our increasingly stressful world. From the 12th Century, Saint Francis knew of the connection and its powerful healing qualities. Our liturgy this week will invite us more deeply into this important relationship.